A level Physics Years 12 and 13

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Specification

The course is intended to satisfy the needs of all students who wish to study Physics to A level as a preparation for higher study.

The aims of the course are to encourage students to:

Develop essential knowledge and understanding in Physics and, where appropriate, the applications of Physics, and the skills needed for the use of this in new and changing situations.
Appreciate how Physics has developed and is used in present day society.
Show the importance of Physics as a human endeavour which interacts with social, philosophical, economic and industrial matters.
Sustain and develop their enjoyment of, and interest in, Physics.
Recognise the quantitative nature of Physics and understand how mathematical expressions relate to physical principles.
Bring together knowledge of ways in which different areas of Physics relate to each other.
Study how scientific models develop.

Content Overview	Assessment Overview
There are six teaching modules: Module 1 – Development of practical skills in Physics. Module 2 – Foundations of Physics. Module 3 – Forces and motion. Module 4 – Electrons, waves and photons. Module 5 – Newtonian World and astrophysics. Module 6 – Particles and medical Physics.	Modelling Physics 2hours 15 minutes Written paper (modules 1, 2, 3 and 5)	37% of total A Level
	Exploring Physics 2 hours 15 minutes Written paper (modules 1, 2, 4 and 6)	37% of total A Level
	Unified Physics 1 hour 30 minutes Written paper (all modules)	26% of total A Level
	Practical Endorsement in Physics Non practical assessment	Reported separately

	Topic	Further details about the topic	Skills
Autumn Term
1	Foundations of physics	Physical quantities and units Making measurements and analysing data Nature of quantities	Applying knowledge and understanding Analysing, interpreting and evaluating Making judgements and reaching conclusions
1	Development of practical skills in physics	Practical skills assessed in a written examination
1	Forces and motion	Motion
1	Electrons, waves and photons	Charge and current Waves
2	Forces and motion	Motion Forces in action	As above
2	Electrons, waves and photons	Electrical circuits Waves
Spring Term
1	Forces and motion	Work, energy and power Materials	As above
1	Electrons, waves and photons	Energy, power and resistance Waves
2	Forces and motion	Materials	As above
2	Electrons, waves and photons	Quantum physics
2	Development of practical skills in physics	Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement Practical investigation
Summer Term
1	Forces and motion	Newton’s laws of motion and momentum	As above
1	Newtonian world and astrophysics	Thermal physics
1	Development of practical skills in physics	Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement Research article
1	Revision and Recap
2	Electrons, waves and photons	Quantum physics	As above
2	Revision and Recap

	Topic	Further details about the topic	Skills
Autumn Term
1	Newtonian world and astrophysics	Oscillations Gravitational fields	Development of practical skills in physics Applying knowledge and understanding Analysing, interpreting and evaluating Making judgements and reaching conclusions
1	Particles and medical physics	Electric fields	As above
2	Newtonian world and astrophysics	Astrophysics and cosmology	As above
2	Particles and medical physics	Nuclear and particle physics Capacitors	As above
Spring Term
1	Particles and medical physics	Electromagnetism Medical imaging	As above
2	Revision and Recap
Summer Term
1	Revision and Recap

Resources	Topic	Type of assessment
CAT 1	Motion, Waves and Quantities & Units	Written assessment
CAT 2	All work so far	Written assessment
CAT 3	All of Year 12 work	Mock examination
CAT 4	All Y12 and 13 work	Written assessment
CAT 5	All Y12 and 13 work	Mock examination
CAT 6	A level examination

Resource	Details	Term
Recomended textbook	A level Physics for OCR (OXFORD University Press)	All
Recommended reading	New Scientist	All
Recommended websites	alevelphysicsonline (login needed ask your Physics teacher) isaacphysics.org Kerboodle OCR website Echalk.com	All

Resource

Details

Term

Recomended textbook

A level Physics for OCR (OXFORD University Press)

All

Activity	Day and time or term